This week, Jack is joined by debut novelist Khashayar J. Khabushani.Khashayar's hotly anticipated first novel, I Will Greet the Sun Again, is a beautiful novel about family, queer adolescence, and the multifaceted nature of identity and while it is a story unafraid to face difficult subject matter, just like the poem from which it takes its title, it is ultimately a novel filled with love.  Purchase I Will Greet the Sun Again(0:27) Introduction(6:10) Being your own protagonist(9:37) Khashayar's early reads(23:42) Recent Reads(31:30) Khashayar's most impactful book(39:27) I Will Greet the Sun AgainWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramI Will Greet the Sun Again is published in the UK by VikingBooks mentioned in this episode include:Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh - ISBN: 9781784701468The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing - ISBN: 9780007498772 Amsterdam by Ian McEwan - ISBN: 9780099272779Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff - ISBN: 9780099592532Middlemarch by George Elliot - ISBN: 9780141439549To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by novelist Rowan Hisayo Buchanan. Rowan's first novel was 2017's Harmless Like You, which won a Betty Trask and Authors Club First Novel Award. Since then, she has penned Starling Days, and now this year she has released her third novel, The Sleep Watcher, an exquisite exploration of adolescence, family, and the complexity of love. Purchase The Sleep Watcher (0:27) Introduction(3:37) Roman's childhood reads(17:30) Ghosts and breaking boundaries(20:39) Where to start writing(35:11) Rowan's favourite book(43:43) The Sleep WatcherWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramThe Sleep Watcher is published in the UK by SceptreBooks mentioned in this episode include:Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - ISBN: 9780141191447Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi  - ISBN: 9781568363912Reverse Engineering by Scratch Books - ISBN: 9781739830106To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by the legendary international literary agent, Barbara J. Zitwer. Barbara has been at the forefront of bringing some of the most exciting voices from Korea over to the Anglosphere, from Han Kang, the author of The Vegetarian, to the Man Asian Booker Prize winner, Shin Kyung-sook, to name a few.Now she has released her own book, The Korean Book of Happiness, sharing with us the knowledge she has gained from her years working closely with Korean writers.Purchase The Korean Book of Happiness(0:27) Introduction(8:01) Translated texts(21:41) The Korean Book of Happiness(26:59) Why Korea?(31:14) Recipes in the bookWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramThe Korean Book of Happiness is published in the UK by Short Books LtdBooks mentioned in this episode include:The Girl Who Wrote Loneliness by Kyung-sook Shin - ISBN: 9781681772370 Walking Practice by Dolki Min - ISBN: 9780063258617The Vegetarian by Han Kang - ISBN: 9781846276033To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by novelist Kate Mascarenas. To date, Kate has published three novels, including The Psychology of Time Travel and The Thief on the Winged Horse. Her third and most recent is the gorgeously gothic Hokey Pokey. Set in 1929 at the Regent Hotel, Birmingham, Nora checks in under a false name. She is there to spy on the famed operatic singer Berenice Oxbow. But just like the Regent Hotel, there is more to Nora's story than meets the eye.Purchase Hokey Pokey(0:27) Introduction(5:40) Childhood reading(20:37) University and literature(30:56) Fiction and Therapists(38:14) Recent Reads(51:09) Hokey PokeyWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramHokey Pokey is published in the UK by BloomsburyBooks mentioned in this episode include: Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce - ISBN: 9780192734501Monsters by Claire Dederer - ISBN: 9781399715034Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet - ISBN: 9781913393441My Friend Natalia by Laura Lindstedt - ISBN: 9781631498176The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter - ISBN: 9780099588115We have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - ISBN:  9780141191454Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi - ISBN: 9780330534697To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by author and musician Mat Osman. Mat is the founding member of the British rock band Suede. In 2020 his first novel The Ruins was released and this year it was followed by his hotly anticipated second book The Ghost Theatre which was chosen as a book of the year 2023 by The Observer, The Times and The Evening Standard.Purchase The Ghost Theatre(0:27) Introduction(1:02) A love letter to theatre(17:19) Writing historical fiction(21:55) London allure(24:28) Childhood reading(36:30) Writing habits(43:21) The Ghost TheatreWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramThe Ghost Theatre is published in the UK by BloomsburyBooks mentioned in this episode include:Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders - ISBN: 9781408871775The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber - ISBN: 9781782114413Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - ISBN: 9780349017464To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by novelist Sophie Mackintosh. Sophie's first book, The Water Cure, was published in 2018 and was long-listed for that year's Booker Prize. In 2020 came her second novel, Blue Ticket, and this year she published the haunting and dreamlike Cursed Bread, which was long-listed for the Women's Prize. Sophie was also included in Granta's Best of Young British Novelists list. Purchase Cursed Bread(0:23) Introduction(1:11) Building rapport with readers(4:46) Childhood reading(14:59) Writing from reality(22:49) Recent reading(29:30) Cursed Bread Welcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on Instagram Cursed Bread is published in the UK by Penguin BooksBooks mentioned in this episode include:Junk by Melvin Burgess - ISBN: 9781783440627The Magic Toy Shop by Angela Carter - ISBN: 9780860681908Close to Home by Michael McGee - ISBN: 9780241582978Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein - ISBN: 9781783789931Sea State by Tabitha Lasley - ISBN: 9780008390976The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave - ISBN: 9781529005219To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by writer and academic Blessin Adams. Blessin's book, Great and Horrible News was published on the 30th of March this year. It is a wonderful exploration of murder and violent death in the early modern period, told through the lives of the ordinary people that experienced it. It is a hugely engrossing and often touching read, which marks a brilliant new voice in non-fiction. Purchase Great and Horrible News(0:27) Introduction(2:05) Childhood reading habits(19:08) Blessin's catalyst for writing(25:54) Inspiration behind Great and Horrible News(32:44) Old crimes and modern problems(36:55) Recent reading(41:56) Great and Horrible NewsWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramGreat and Horrible News is published in the UK by Harper CollinsBooks mentioned in this episode include:Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - ISBN: 9780241620236Appointment in Bath by Mimi Matthews - ISBN: 9781736080269The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer - ISBN: 9780099585541Redwall by Brian Jaques - ISBN: 9780099595182To find more titles, visit our website

This week, Jack is joined by debut author Stephen Buoro. Stephen's novel, the Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa was published on the 13th of April. It's already received impressive praise. Author Max Porter described it as eccentric, profound and timely and says he fell in love immediately. In this episode, Stephen delves into the themes of his debut novel, including duality, faith, and science, as well as the psychological elements of his writing. The conversation also covers Stephen's experience balancing his PhD studies with writing, and the power of reading and writing to empower oneself.Purchase The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa (0:27) Introduction(4:00) Early reading(13:07) Getting into creative writing (18:29) Current reading habits(22:40) Recent reads(32:36) The writing process(39:08) The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy AfricaWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramThe Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa is published in the UK by Bloomsbury Books mentioned in this episode include:The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson - ISBN: 9780062692597Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss - ISBN: 9780141325309My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay - ISBN: 9781786892362Normal People by Sally Rooney - ISBN: 9780571334650Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky - ISBN: 9780099922803A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess - ISBN: 9780141182605To find more titles, visit our website

This week Jack is joined by Alice Winn. Alice Winn's gorgeous In Memoriam follows Elwood and Gaunt, two boarding school boys desperately in love with one another. Together they navigate the highs and lows of school life until World War I comes crashing into their lives, irrevocably changing them and the world they know forever. Purchase In Memoriam(0:27) Introduction(1:23) Being a debut author(11:10) Growing up(28:47) Reading as an adult(39:37) A favourite read(45:14) In MemoriamWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramIn Memoriam is published in the UK by Penguin BooksBooks mentioned in this episode include:Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - ISBN: 9780141040387Vanity Fair by William Thackerey - ISBN: 9780141439839The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbitt - ISBN: 9781847498427A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel - ISBN: 9780007250554Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin - ISBN: 9780141186351To find more titles, visit our website

This week Sarah is joined by Reverend Richard Coles. Richard is co-presenter of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live and is regularly seen as a guest panelist on shows such as Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, and QI. He first came to the public's attention in the mid-1980s as part of the pop duo The Communards. After deciding to study theology in the early 90s, the Reverend embarked on a new life as a priest. He retired from the priesthood in 2022. Richard's latest book, Murder Before Evensong, came out in paperback on the 2nd of March. Purchase Murder Before Evensong(0:26) Introduction to Richard Coles(4:47) Richard and writing(9:25) Children's book recommendation(14:33) Reading habits(22:25) Richard's recent read(28:19) The book that changed his life(30:35) Murder Before EvensongWelcome to Mostly Books Meets, a weekly podcast by the independent award-winning bookshop, Mostly Books. Nestled in the Oxfordshire town of Abingdon-on-Thames, Mostly Books has been spreading the joy of reading for fifteen years. Whether it’s a book, gift, or card you need the Mostly Books team is always on hand to help. Visit our website.The podcast is produced and presented by Jack Wrighton and the team at Mostly Books. It is edited by Story Ninety-Four. Find us on Twitter @mostlyreading & Instagram @mostlybooks_shop.Meet the host:Jack Wrighton is a bookseller and social media manager at Mostly Books. His hobbies include photography and buying books at a quicker rate than he can read them.Connect with Jack on InstagramMurder Before Evensong is published in the UK by Wiedenfeld & Nicolson Books mentioned in this episode include:The Madness of Grief by Richard Coles - ISBN: 9781474619622The Viking Sage by Henry Treese - ISBN: 9780141368658The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - ISBN: 9780099529934Show Me the Bodies by Peter Apps - ISBN: 9780861546152To find more titles, visit our website